This article explores the question, Can cows eat pine needles? Throughout, we’ll discuss how this plant is beneficial for animals and the dangers of ingestion, including the risks of Ammonia toxicity, Endometritis, and Retained placentas. Hopefully, you’ll gain a better understanding of why pine needles are useful to cows. Moreover, we’ll provide information on how to reduce the risk of consuming pine needles in your dairy cow’s diet.
Contents
Cattle consuming pine needles
Cattle eating pine needles may pose a health risk to cattle. Pine trees are highly toxic to cattle, and some species can be fatal. Even though some animal species tolerate pine needles in small amounts, other species are more prone to adverse effects. Pine needle abortion is a serious problem in some areas of North America, especially in Western states and Canada. In the US cattle industry, this problem can result in millions of dollars in losses each year.
If cattle are exposed to large amounts of pine needles during the last trimester, it is possible that they will suffer a miscarriage. While the exact cause of the abortion is unclear, the risk of fetal death is very high. The risk of miscarriage is higher for pregnant cows than for the unborn lamb. Cattle can abort between two weeks and two months after exposure, depending on the amount of needles consumed. The dose varies significantly among animals, and some may have no symptoms at all. However, the health risks of pine needles on cattle are worth the effort to avoid them.
Ammonia toxicity
The ammonia toxicity of pine needles in cows is the result of a chemical known as abietane. It is a poisonous alkaloid that can be fatal to cattle. Symptoms of intoxication in cattle include a water belly, anorexia, and abdominal pain. The plant can also lead to neurological problems, resulting in abortion. In Texas, cattle deaths account for 24 to 30 million dollars in annual losses. This article will describe some of the most common plants causing toxicity in cattle.
Cattle exposed to ponderosa pine needles have an elevated risk of abortion during cold stress. One study revealed that a small amount of the needles can induce abortion. It is necessary to expose cows to 3-5 pounds of needles per day for several days before a cow aborts. This toxicity can result in abortions up to two weeks after removal from the source of pine needles. The presence of isocupressic acid and vasoactive lipids in these pine needles has a negative impact on the uterus, signaling parturition.
Endometritis
For decades, a Custer, S.D. rancher has been plagued with pine needle abortions. He’s tried restraining his cows, clearing out pastures, and changing feeding patterns. Today, he feeds his cows dehydrated molasses with vitamins in it. For the past few years, he’s not had a single case.
The fungus that causes abortion is Trueperella pyogenes, which can be found in the nasopharynx of healthy cows. It can also cause endometritis, retained placenta, and fibrinous pericarditis in cattle. It also causes metritis in cattle. It produces an intoxicating effect on the body because it contains rosin gum and dehydroabietic acid. Its intoxication can cause clinical signs such as anorexia, mild rumen acidosis, and dyspnea. Biochemical tests will show elevated serum enzymes and proteins. Other problems include azotemia.
Retained placentas
Researchers have linked the consumption of ponderosa pine needles to fetal loss in cattle. These abortions occur during the last trimester, and the toxins in the needles cause a uterus to become inflamed. In addition to delayed conception, they can also lead to respiratory infections, leg paralysis, and premature calves. However, these issues do not necessarily mean that cows should not be fed pine needles.
In the present case, a presumptive diagnosis of PNA was made based on the case history and a serum analysis. However, the serum was negative. Hence, a field investigation was conducted, which supported the diagnosis. Moreover, THAA was detected in the fetal thoracic fluid after pine needle consumption, which is consistent with a diagnosis of PNA without serum. This is an important finding because it supports the diagnostic strategy.
